SOM’s proposal for a cycle superhighway is laudable but more notable in the US context – London has had one for years.Īnd while the fearmongering of the business community that more bike lanes will hurt footfall has been proved wrong, cycle superhighways also do not magically transform a streetscape into a more liveable place. As a way of getting around cities it is healthy, cheap, improves air quality, reduces congestion and – if accompanied by vehicle restrictions such as ride-sharing, the reduction of street parking and last-mile delivery hubs – prises away much-needed physical space from cars. There is not much to complain about when it comes to expanding cycling provision. “Bicycle commuting is another one of those things where if we can use, or respond to, the pandemic with a solution that actually works really well, maybe it’ll stick,” says Scott Duncan, a design partner at SOM. It proposes streetscape amenities such as flexible, indoor-outdoor retail pavilions, umbrellas for eating areas or socially distanced al fresco office meetings, and technology for riders to find the quickest, least busy cycle routes. The firm envisions a “comprehensive reshaping” of city streets and the construction of a network of bicycle highways, all in the service of a “sidewalk economy”. Socially distanced outdoor meeting spaces near buildings.
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